MMDA files complaint vs. 2 brgy. chairmen over neglect of duty

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday filed a complaint against two barangay chairmen from Quezon City for allegedly allowing road obstructions to proliferate in their respective areas.

Facing an administrative case of neglect of duty are chairmen Clarito De Jesus of Brgy. Veterans Village District 1 Area 3 and Antonio Ma. Benito Calma Jr. of Brgy. Don Manuel.

In his complaint-affidavit filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, MMDA General Manager Thomas Orbos said the barangay chairmen in January 2017 asked the agency for assistance in their barangay-wide towing of illegal parked and junk vehicles and clearing of sidewalk obstructions.

Orbos said the MMDA dispatched personnel and tow trucks for the operations.

But when the MMDA returned to the barangays on Friday, they discovered that the barangays did not comply with the agreement to maintain the roads free from obstructions.

"It should have at least been the duty and obligation of the barangay, thru its Barangay Captain, to have maintained and carried on the task of preventing obstructions from returning to their RROWs (road right-of-the-way)," the complaint read.

"Such failure of the barangay to give proper attention to a required task or to discharge their said duty/obligation out of their carelessness or indifference is not only pecuniarily detrimental to the MMDA, but is likewise constituitive of neglect of duty, which the responsible barangay official concerned should be held liable for," it added.

The MMDA said they will still file complaint against five more barangay chairmen --- four from Quezon City and one from Parañaque. —KBK, GMA News